Reusable Sandwich Bag

Last night I was surfing the internet and came across a local lady who makes reusable sandwich bags. They are super cute but $8.00 a bag. I was showing Aaron the bags and told him, "I could totally make these things!" I began searching online for templates, blogs, and youtube videos of people who have already made some. A common theme that I found was that people were using iron on vinyl, Mylar, Oilcloth, or PUI (fabric that has a polyurethane coating that allows it to be wiped clean.) While I like the idea of a reusable bag for the better of the planet, my children's

health with their food comes first! I searched and searched for articles and information on food safe cloth. There are split panels out there so I just figured I would make a cotton bag that I can

throw in the washing machine. Then I began thinking about the box of plastic bags in my drawer that are food safe but horrible for the environment. I thought that I could possibly incorporate those bags into a template. I didn't want to use velcro on the bags because everything in the world sticks to velcro and could be a clean up nightmare. I thought back to the old fashioned plastic baggies that I used to have when I was a little girl. They didn't have a closure, but folded over and I don't remember having many problems with them overall. Thus began my reusable

sandwich bag making day. I took pictures to document it!

1. First I pulled out a ziplock baggie that I had in my drawer and measured it. Without the top zip part it is 6 inches tall and about 6 1/2 inches wide. To account for the flap and a slight folding hem all around, I cut my fabric 14 inches tall and 7 inches wide.

2. Next, I ironed a 1/4 inch around the entire rectangle. I will be hemming all around the

rectangle to prevent any fraying. If you have a surger (I sure wish I did!!!) you could skip this step and just surge all the way around. (Please ignore my GROSS ironing board!)

3. Next I hemmed all the way around.

4. I then took my handy ziplock baggie and cut the top zipper off and cut down each of the sides, making a long, skinny rectangle that resembles the rectangle of fabric that I have!

5. I then pinned the plastic baggie on the inside on the fabric. I stitched across the top of the plastic and the bottom. This makes sure that there are no openings and the inside will be all lined with the plastic.

6. Next, make the flap (however big you want it) and fold it backwards (right sides together.)

7. Then fold the bottom up to meet the top. The flap that you made will be covered now.

8. Now sew two seams up each side but not the top. It will look like this.

9. Turn it right sides out, make sure to push the corners all the way in. The flap will be on the backside of the bag, flip it over so that it covers the top. It will look like this!

10. Now you have a reusable sandwich bag that can be reused over and over, can be washed easily, and will be safe for the food that goes in the bag!